The DGMO of Nepal Army, Major General Anup Jung Thapa, with Indian DGMO Lt. Gen. Manish Luthra.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
The India-Nepal joint military exercise, SURYAKIRAN-XIX, concluded at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand on Tuesday (December 9, 2025).
Marking the end of the intensive combined training cycle, the Directors-General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the Indian and Nepal armies jointly witnessed and validated a two-day Battalion-level Validation Exercise at the Foreign Training Node in Pithoragarh.
The Indian Army said the validation phase showcased joint tactics, techniques and procedures for counter-terrorism operations mandated under Chapter VII of the UN Charter. The drills featured a suite of cutting-edge technologies, including ISR (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) and precision-targeting drones, advanced day/night weapon sights, AI-enabled surveillance feeds, unmanned operational and logistics platforms, and secure battlefield communication systems.
The exercise underscored seamless interoperability, synchronised mission planning and coordinated execution of combined tactical operations in a counter-terrorism environment across battalion, company and small-team levels. Troops carried out intelligence-based surgical missions in complex terrain, employing aerial insertion methods to strengthen rapid-response capability.
Reinforcing ties
Acknowledging the importance of shared security and humanitarian preparedness in the Himalayan region, both DGMOs lauded the exercise for enhancing operational synergy, deepening mutual trust and reinforcing the long-standing military brotherhood between the two Armies, the Army added.
As a mark of this enduring partnership, the DGMOs jointly planted a Tree of Friendship, reaffirming the timeless bonds and strategic cooperation between India and Nepal.
SURYAKIRAN–XIX stands as a robust demonstration of unity, preparedness and partnership for regional peace and stability, the Army said in a release.
Published – December 09, 2025 07:27 pm IST
